Page 7

Fluff jumps onto the couch between us. I smile at him and reach out to scratch under his chin, his favorite spot, but he turns and faces Tyler, giving me the wonderful view of his butt.

“Ouch, Fluff.” I flick his back leg and he kicks blindly at me, eyes focused solely on Tyler. “No food for the cat,” I say quickly. Tyler wasn’t reaching to hand him anything, but just in case. “Fluff is a master negotiator but he gets plenty of food and treats throughout the day.”

“I wasn’t going to,” he says quietly. He tucks the cup to his chest and reaches with his free hand to scratch one finger in the exact spot I was going to. No wonder Fluff loves him already. “He’s a cute cat.”

“He is,” I say. “I got him two years ago when I graduated from nursing school, as a present to myself.”

“What college did you attend?” Tyler asks. Fluff curls up against Tyler’s leg and I can hear him purring from where I’m sitting.

“I actually grew up and went to school two states over,” I say. “I moved here after landing the job. My brother, his wife, and niece are here too. Got this place, then adopted Fluff before I unpacked the last box.”

“Oh, that’s cool. I was supposed to start at the college a couple cities over during the Spring semester, but that didn’t happen.

” He sounds sad about that. I know he’s been coming to the clinic for months now with different appointments and not feeling well.

I really wish that we’d caught this sooner.

I work at the clinic on Thursdays, but over at the emergency department the other days.

When he came in on the ambulance unconscious, his name popped up on the incoming admission report and I was worried.

It was pure luck he ended up in one of my rooms.

“What do you want to study?” I ask. I don’t want him to dwell on the fact that he isn’t at college with his friends, but I would like to get to know him more.

“I wanted to go into marketing or journalism.”

“That’s cool,” I say genuinely. He looks from the cat to me, clearly looking for a hidden meaning in my words or expression. “I’m serious, Ty. It’s great to have a goal, to know what you want in life.”

He shrugs. I get the feeling that someone has burst the bubble around getting that degree. I wonder if it was family or just circumstances. I decide it’s safer to change the subject and bring the mood back up.

“So, this whole dynamic thing you like?” I pause to see how he’s going to react. His eyes widen slightly, like he’s surprised I’m bringing it up, but nothing else. “How did you… learn about it?”

“Honestly, I made a joke around a couple of friends about needing someone to help me handle the stress of everything and they told me about the relationships they have. I joined them for a playdate once and it was one of the best evenings I’ve had.”

“Which would make sense,” I say. “If you liked it and it helps you relax, then you probably weren’t stressed and your levels were steady.”

“I didn’t think about that,” Tyler says softly. “I guess that does make sense.”

“Is there anything in particular you like about being Little? Or, are you more like a… Middle?” I try to recall what I read, the different labels the guy had posted about.

“I’d say Little,” Tyler says. “Are you sure you want to talk about this? I mean, I know I kind of threw that on you.”

“I’m good, Ty.” I smile. “I’m not as vanilla as you might think. I’m honestly curious about it.”

“I don’t regress as far as my friends,” he says. “I like to pretend and play with the toys, but I don’t like diapers like they do.”

Diapers? That wasn’t mentioned in the post. I’ve seen my fair share of older men and women that deal with incontinence and use some form of diaper, but I didn’t know there were people that used them willingly like that.

“What kind of toys do you like to play with?” I ask. Half of my brain is curious about this, wanting to know more, while the other half is starting to make a list of things that I could keep here if he comes back.

“I like make pretend,” Tyler says. “Figurines like dragons or princes and princesses to make stories with. I also like reading books and eating yummy snacks.”

“Dragons, books, and yummy snacks. Got it.” I count each one on my fingers and it makes Tyler smile. “And what do you want in a Daddy?”

“Brandt, you seriously don’t have–”

“Tyler, I’m just asking questions. I don’t know anything about this.”

“Sorry.” Tyler dips his chin to his chest and avoids my eyes.

My words were a bit stern and I feel bad about it.

I open my mouth to say something, but Tyler speaks again.

“I think I’m just still a bit sad about Sunday night.

Thinking about what I like reminds me of Mark.

He’s great, but I know that he wasn’t expecting to care for me in that way. ”

“What things do you like when you’re Little?” I ask tentatively. I don’t want him to be sad over it, but I can’t lie that my interest is piqued enough to push the subject.

I watch him pick at the fruit before sighing and setting it down on the table. He looks back up at me and gives a half-hearted smile.

“I like the thought of someone else helping to keep track of my issues.” I want to interject that he doesn’t have ‘issues’, he has a medical diagnosis. He continues to talk before I can say it though. “I also like having someone…”

His voice trails off and I don’t catch what he says. He looks up at me and his cheeks are tinged a cute pink.

“I didn’t hear that last part,” I say, a hint of humor in my voice because I feel like it’s something that he doesn’t want to repeat. The flush on his cheeks deepens and he glances down toward his lap. “Ty?”

“I said I like having someone that tells me I’m doing a good job.”

It’s such a simple thing. I smile warmly, nodding. Giving compliments to the cute guy sitting across the couch from me? I can do that. It makes me wonder if he gets that from family or not.

I move closer to him so I can lay a hand on his knee and squeeze gently. He gives me the smallest of smiles and it warms my heart.

“You are doing a good job,” I say. “Dealing with what you’ve had going on, while still holding on to your job, is amazing. Looking back now, you definitely shouldn’t have pushed yourself so hard but I’m proud of you. And I’m happy we got a diagnosis for you.”

There’s silence between us for a couple of seconds. I can see that Tyler is holding back saying something, or whatever thoughts are swirling in his mind. I want to relieve those worries. That’s what a Daddy does, right?

“You don’t have to say anything, Tyler.” I keep my voice soft.

I rub my thumb across his knee. He’s still in his work pants and I want to offer him some shorts, but I don’t want to overstep.

I also don’t want him to leave. I might have to do some more research on the whole Daddy thing, but I have been in relationships and I know what I like in a person. “Do you want to stay here tonight?”

His eyes widen almost comically. I smile, waiting for his answer. This will be his decision if he wants to or not.

“I have to wake up early,” he says. “I don’t want to bother you.”

“I have to wake up before six to get to work on time,” I say. “I get up early to come get my coffee anyway.”

I can see him debating it once again and I wait. He chews on the corner of his bottom lip. It’s adorable and I want to reach up and brush my fingers against his lips.

“If you’re okay with it,” he says finally. “I don’t have any clothes with me.”

“Do you have your medicine?” I’m more concerned about that than clothes. I can loan him those.

“I do,” he says. “I keep it with me, just in case.”

“That’s a smart idea,” I say. “And I can loan you some clothes.”